Or Die Trying executive producers Sarah Hawkins and Myah Hollis caught up with Wardrobe Consultant Doreen Creede to talk about her experience working on ODT Season 1.
ODT: What initially drew you to OR DIE TRYING?
Doreen Creede: I knew Sarah from her days in Philly, and based on that relationship alone was happy to share and support whatever she was working on, sight unseen. Then she sent me the trailer and I was blown away. The writing, the production values, the acting -- it looked like a trailer from a series already on HBO. I saw it and thought, I have to be a part of this in a bigger way!
ODT: What was it like working with a team made up of primarily women?
DC: Throughout my career I have primarily worked for and with women, and each of them have had very different personalities and approaches to business. As women fill more roles in projects, we need to remember that just being female doesn't instantly mean things will be wonderful In this case it was wonderful, and that's because Myah and Sarah set the tone for a production team and crew that is collaborative, open, caring and straightforward. Working with them, and with co-producers/co-leads Jenny and Chelsea was a dream.
ODT: How do you think that benefited this particular project?
DC: Since I am based in Philadelphia and the producers are in LA, most of our communication was via email. Sometimes in email correspondence things can get lost in translation, but in this case it flowed very smoothly. Perhaps that's because Sarah, Myah and I are all writers and used to communicating through words; but mostly because there was such genuine respect and honesty between us.
ODT: How was it working with various brands to be plugged into the series?
DC: In selecting our brand sponsors I first looked at the personality and style of the characters, and how the wardrobe could help tell their stories. And then I reached out to companies with a similar story of following their own dreams in one way or another. Each of them had the same strong connection to this story that I did -- it's one of those great narratives that touches a part of each one of us, no matter what our industry or age.
ODT: Any favorite brands or items you are excited to see on screen?
DC: Well, I love them all of course!
ODT: What do you think is the most effective way to go about changing the systematic gender problems in the film industry?
DC: Exactly what ODT is doing: women creating, producing, distributing and supporting projects ourselves. Given the various distribution / streaming / YouTube / social media options now available, we don't have to go along with a man's idea of where women should work, how we should be portrayed and what we will watch. And maybe we can also stop the bizarre standard where it's okay to show horrific levels of violence but not to show a love scene.
ODT: Any other projects you’re currently working on?
DC: My work spans genres of fashion, design, writing and various media, but at the core it's all about telling a story, with style.
I'm very excited to be in talks with two other wonderful women-driven productions to handle set design and wardrobe. You'll also find me writing about life and style for magazines and for my Style Maniac lifestyle blog. And, of course, plotting how we can expand our brand connections in Season 2 of ODT (!).
Inspired by the women of ODT I'm also following my own dream to get my first book out into the world! It's a pretty and petite gift book in which I share simple, affordable secrets, tips, ideas and inspirations for making everyday life happier and more beautiful. My aim is for the book to be as fun, inclusive and inspirational a project as ODT series has been for all involved. Release date to be announced soon ... stay tuned ....
ODT: Where can we find more of your work?
DC: My lifestyle blog and website, Style Maniac stylemaniac.com
